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Dow Chemical Company’s Diversity & Inclusion Forums “LEADERS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A COMPANY, and therefore it’s in everyone’s best interest that we appropriately develop this group.” –Andrew Liveris, president, CEO and chairman. Dow’s Diversity and Inclusion Team developed Diversity & Inclusion Forums to align and engage all leaders with the D&I strategy as a first, major step toward cultural change. The D&I Forum is a two-hour interactive communications workshop for all of Dow’s people leaders. These face-to-face sessions are held in major locations around the world. Groups are limited to 30 leaders to create an intimate learning environment and foster discussion and debate. To leverage the power of leaders teaching leaders as a mechanism of culture change, and underscore D&I as integral to the company’s business strategy, every session is hosted by a senior leader. Dow’s Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) established a set of breakthrough D&I goals in early 2006, grounded in accelerating the implementation of the company’s global growth strategy. The results from the D&I forums are impressive: • 98 percent of participants understand why Diversity & Inclusion is a key element of Dow’s ability to implement its strategy. • 90 percent have a better understanding of what it means to be an inclusive leader. • 99 percent understand accountability as a leader for creating a diverse and inclusive culture at Dow. • 98 percent plan to take action to create a more diverse & inclusive culture.
Freescale Semiconductor’s Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Leadership Summit IN
AN EFFORT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER
OF WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS,
Freescale Semiconductor’s EMEA leadership team sponsored a regional conference to bring awareness to the need, and to provide opportunities for networking and personal development among the participants. The 3-day conference had a mixed gender audience of about
90
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50 individuals representing 12 countries, all business groups and multiple levels of the firm’s hierarchy. Key speakers covered topics as varied as the dimensions of diversity, gender stereotyping and executive-level communication skills. Executive panel debates and animated breakout sessions tackled the key business issues potentially contributing to the under-representation of women in management. Since the summit, work has been done to create an integrated action plan for the region, with full engagement from country directors and regional business leaders. Country specific plans are now in place, and other work underway includes the creation of an inclusion-focused development curriculum, targeted project initiatives and an internal and external focus to attract, retain, and progress key talent. In addition, the event is now seen as a model of success for similar events globally. Where previously there was purely a recognition of the need for inclusive practices, the Inclusive Leadership event has provided the launch pad for a comprehensive, pragmatic plan that is sure to drive the success of Freescale, now and in the future.
Kelly Services’ Supplier Diversity Summits KELLY SERVICES,
A LEADING HUMAN
RESOURCE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER, SUPPORTS ITS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. This initiative operates with an annual goal of five percent and is supported by a team of diversity professionals, led by Vice President of Supplier Diversity Nicole Lewis. As part of its continuous improvement efforts, Kelly conducts supplier surveys to see if the program is meeting expectations. Based on supplier feedback, Kelly launched the Supplier Diversity Summit series in June 2005. The Supplier Diversity Summits are specifically designed to strengthen diverse suppliers so they can more effectively compete in a global marketplace, whether they do business with Kelly or not. These regional, quarterly Summits provide a networking forum for staffing companies to share best practices within the supply chain. The forums are designed to inform, engage and generate business opportunities among Minority, Women and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (MWDBE). The Supplier Diversity Summit program has given participating suppliers the opportunity to develop strategic relationships and showcase their unique services and products. Supplier feedback consistently ranks the Summits at an average of 4.75 out of 5, both in the value and quality of the information received. Most importantly, these Summits have increased MWDBE opportunities in the higher margin professional and technical THROUGH THE